The Chancellor: Need for Distinguished Academicians to Head State Universities
The article discusses the ongoing conflict between State Governors and elected governments regarding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs). Using Kerala as a case study, it highlights the Governor's claim that the Chief Minister has no role in V-C appointments based on 2018 UGC rules. The draft 2025 UGC Regulations further aim to divest State governments of this role. Historically, Governors were colonial instruments retained post-independence to ensure academic independence. However, recent trends show legislative moves in states like Punjab and West Bengal to replace Governors with Chief Ministers as Chancellors to ensure hands-on academic leadership.
Key Points
- Governors often act as political agents of the Centre, leading to friction with State governments over university administration.
- The 2018 UGC rules mandate that search-cum-selection committees for V-Cs consist of persons of eminence not connected to the university.
- State legislatures in Punjab and West Bengal have passed laws to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor instead of the Governor.
- The draft 2025 UGC Regulations propose bringing V-C appointments entirely under the Chancellor's purview, potentially sidelining State governments.
Exam Facts
- UGC Regulations 2018 mandate specific criteria for Vice-Chancellor selection committees.
- Punjab and West Bengal have passed state laws to replace the Governor with the Chief Minister as Chancellor.
- Draft UGC Regulations 2025 aim to further centralize V-C appointments under the Chancellor.
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